Feds Implement New Online Debarment Checking System

At the end of July, the website for checking whether a business is debarred or suspended from doing business with the federal government, the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS), was officially replaced by a new System for Award Management (SAM), and the transition has not been without its rough patches. Go to my blog forRead… Read more »

“Shaping Our Future” Launch on Sept. 4 in Washington DC

Our friend Harry Boyte, National Coordinator of the American Commonwealth Partnership, wanted NCDDers to be aware of the Shaping Our Future launch event taking place on September 4th in DC. Below is the media advisory that went out this week on the event, which launches a yearlong, nationwide series of citizen dialogues on how higherRead… Read more »

Thank you to this week’s Scholarship Fund donors!

Here we are at the end of the second week of our scholarship fund drive for the 2012 NCDD conference and we want to thank this week’s contributers for your generosity! Our goal is to raise $15,000 from our community to help people from diverse backgrounds make it to NCDD Seattle who may not otherwiseRead… Read more »

An Experiment in Crowd Funding, Community, and Official Languages

While it’s been years since I wrote Scheming Virtuously: A Handbook for Public Servants, interest in the document seems constant. Over the years I’ve invited people to contribute directly to the document on GCPEDIA, I’ve released an updated version myself, and even worked with my good friends at Govloop to spice it up visually. TheRead… Read more »

Adapting to being adaptable

We’re starting to see government agencies come to terms with modern digital technologies, with more and more people in agency seeking to use them in their activities. Agencies are beginning to operationalise social media and, while still working through the process, open licenses and data as well. Some in digital related-roles in government are startingRead… Read more »

Android Encryption Crackable, New MPEG Standard and more

This little Android won’t be so happy if you steal his data Researchers Show How to Crack Android Encryption – Thomas Cannon and Seyton Bradford have successfully shown brute force attacks against Android encryption at DEFCON. Because Android encryption is based on the Linux dm-crypt, it is easily broken on either Android 3.x or 4.xRead… Read more »

Mars Curiosity – Over Budget, Big Success?

This crops up all the time. What’s the definition of a ‘failed project’? Look at Mars Curiosity. The program was initially budgeted at around $1.5B and came in at $2.5B for development and launch. Sure, some people question that expense, but for the most part I think they just don’t ‘get it’ on the importanceRead… Read more »

Nanotechnology and Developing Countries

Editor’s note: The following is a guest post written by Nicky Elkins, staff writer for BBGeeks.com and AndGeeks.com. – AO Developing countries have made great strides with technology by introducing different programs and initiatives. Doing so has helped spread information to the masses in these countries about different health concerns, climate, and agriculture, and hasRead… Read more »

Defense Intelligence Agency Virtualization, Warrantless Tracking of Prepaid Cellphones, and More

Here is today’s federal cybersecurity and information technology news: Ecuador has granted asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to prevent his extradition, which is ironic given Ecuador’s suppression of press freedom and dissident movements, leading the UK to allegedly threaten to storm the embassy. More here. Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills, deputy commandant for combatRead… Read more »